Chance the Rapper Gifts Chicago Kids Jordan Sneakers For Christmas

It is hard to explain the feeling of getting a pair of Air Jordan 11s for Christmas. There is something special about seeing your face reflected in the sheen from the patent leather and slipping your feet into the shoes like a young MJ.

This year, Chance the Rapper gave some of Chicago’s youngest and most talented that feeling.

At an Open Mike event honoring his mentor Brother Mike, Chance gave away 300 pairs of the Air Jordan 11 Retro “Win Like ’96” sneaker.

This was definitely a special moment for the high school kids in attendance. Air Jordan 11s have been a Christmas staple for years. As a whole, Jordan’s 11th sneaker model is among his most coveted. Boyz II Men infamously wore a pair of them with their tuxedos at the 1996 Grammy Awards.

Unfortunately, the shoes are also difficult to obtain for a variety of reasons. The first is that Jordan Brand and Nike make a limited amount of pairs to keep the exclusive nature and mystique of the sneaker alive. Secondly, the price tag for the shoes are out of many families’ price range. The “Win Like ’96” pairs are retailing for $220.

Chance’s gesture takes on another layer of relevance when you factor in how much Michael Jordan means to the city of Chicago, from his time on the Bulls. This Christmas a select few kids will feel like they can fly like Mike. Nothing says holiday spirit like that.

On the anniversary of the passing of my mentor Brother Mike, @OpenMikeChicago had one of it’s best nights yet. Thanks to @Korporate00 for speaking and thanks to @Jumpman23 for bringing 300 pair of unreleased 11s for the young creatives. Until next year… POWER TO THE PEOPLE…